Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
“The goal is to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity in downtown Spring Valley. Construction is currently planned to begin in the week of May 18, starting at the Broadway intersections with Jefferson Street and Courtland Street,” stated Bolton & Menk engineer Drew Weber, speaking of Spring Valley’s Broadway Project walkability initiative, for which construction is set to begin this week and continue through the next month or be yond to make the town’s historic Broadway Avenue friendlier to those who live here and who are visiting.
Pedestrian safety along the street where Spring Valley’s local businesses operate has been an issue that brought the project forward, as Weber pointed out that “wide crossings, limited sight lines, non-compliant curb ramps, and missing sidewalks were identified as safety concerns during project planning and community out reach,” so “the project includes shorter pedestrian crossings, Americans with Disabilities Act- (ADA) compliant curb ramps, improved sidewalks, drainage upgrades, and a new sidewalk connecting downtown to Willow Park.” Ultimately, he predicted, “Pedestrians will have shorter crossings, better visibility and continuous sidewalks, while motorists will benefit from clearer intersection layouts and safer, more predictable pedestrian movements.”
The Broadway Project is underwritten by three separate entities. Weber listed them, saying, “The project is funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Active Transportation Program, Fillmore County and the city of Spring Valley. It is being completed in coordination with Fill more County.” The Fillmore County Highway Department is responsible for the improvements on Main Street reaching to Willow Park on the other side of Highway 63, a popular destination for bicyclists, pedestrians, and the dogs that accompany them, as the county had already chosen to upgrade that portion of the roadway because Main Street is concurrent with County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 1. There were no additions after funding sources were identified, but “minor refinements may occur during construction to ad dress field conditions or business access, but the overall scope and goals remain unchanged…no future phases have been planned at this time.”
Bolton & Menk has been engaged in the Broadway Project’s informational and design processes and will remain as a consulting entity as the work progresses. Weber stated, “Bolton & Menk has supported the city from early downtown visioning and public engagement in 2024 through grant coordination, design and construction preparation. We will continue providing construction observation, contract administration, agency coordination, and public communication support through out construction.” He commented, “The biggest challenge is coordinating construction in an active downtown while maintaining access for businesses and pedestrians. Multiple contractors will be involved, and weather can affect scheduling and sequencing, as can construction phasing, and coordinating the multiple contractors can affect timing. Traffic impacts will vary by phase, including temporary detours and a short-term closure at Main Street and Broadway, but the pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained. Construction will be inconvenient at times, but the project team will coordinate closely with each business to maintain pedestrian access and minimize disruption.”
The city council and administration have attempted to inform residents and business owners regarding the project’s impact. “The city has hosted workshops, open houses and neighborhood meetings and will continue sharing updates through the project website – residents and business owners can contact the project team through the project website at https://clients.bolton menk.com/springvalley2026active/.”
Weber concluded that while construction may be frustrating, it is temporary for a long-term solution. “This project is one step in a community-driven downtown vision, focused on long-term safety and accessibility, even if construction is temporarily inconvenient.”
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
